Why PR Is Essential for Business Growth: Boost Awareness, SEO & Sales

With competition among businesses fiercer than ever, it’s getting increasingly difficult to stand out. That’s where public relations (PR) can make all the difference. From nurturing loyal customers and reaching new audiences to boosting brand awareness and driving sales, PR offers a host of strategic benefits.

While PR won’t achieve every marketing goal on its own, it plays a critical role in a successful marketing strategy. Whether you’re leveraging digital or traditional PR (or a mix of both), here are some of the key ways PR can benefit your business.

What Are the Top Benefits of PR?

1. How PR Builds Brand Awareness and Consumer Trust

A core advantage of PR is raising brand visibility. Through proactive and reactive media outreach, data-led storytelling, and expert positioning, PR helps secure features in credible outlets. These earned media placements not only boost awareness but also enhance trust and credibility among potential customers.

2. How Digital PR Improves Organic Search and Backlink Profile

One of the most measurable benefits of digital PR is SEO impact. By acquiring backlinks from high-authority sites, PR strengthens your site’s backlink profile – a proven factor in improving Google search rankings.

At a recent search conference, Google’s Gary Illyes noted: “We need very few links to rank pages… Over the years, we’ve made links less important.” He later clarified: “I definitely shouldn’t have said that.”

While links may hold slightly less weight than before, they remain essential for building topical authority and relevancy. High-performing websites typically have strong backlink profiles for good reason. Links still matter.

3. Educating Your Target Audience Through PR

Innovative products often face scepticism or confusion. From bicycles to laptops, history shows that education and exposure are key to driving adoption. PR excels at delivering that education through credible storytelling.

Effective PR doesn’t feel like advertising. It informs through entertainment, thought leadership and relevance. Subtle, psychology-rooted messaging shifts perceptions and drives understanding, just as Edward Bernays, the father of PR, intended.

4. Using PR to Acquire New Customers

PR plays a vital role in customer acquisition. The more often potential customers see your brand in trusted media, the more likely they are to visit your site, follow your social channels, or make a purchase.

Some convert instantly after clicking a product link. Others take time, needing repeated exposure and trust signals. Strategic PR builds this visibility and shapes the customer journey from first glance to final sale.

5. Strengthening Customer Loyalty Through Media Coverage

Positive PR isn’t just for attracting new customers. It nurtures loyalty, too. Consistent, values-aligned media coverage positions your brand as trustworthy, relevant, and reputable - a powerful combination for repeat business.

6. Can PR Drive Sales? Absolutely.

While PR is often seen as a long-term play, it can have an immediate sales impact. Product reviews, gift guide inclusions, and expert roundups can result in an instant uplift.

More broadly, PR works best over time. Most customers need to see a brand 7+ times before converting. PR supports that journey, driving both awareness and search visibility that ultimately leads to higher conversion rates.

Real-World PR Results: Lem-uhn Case Studies

A2D2

We partnered with A2D2, a brand connecting analogue music devices to smart speakers, to drive awareness and sales. With paid ads turned off, we secured the brand’s best sales week ever, increasing sales by 1,515%.

Lay-Z-Spa

In just three months, we generated 504 media placements for Lay-Z-Spa, the UK’s leading hot tub brand. That coverage reached a combined audience of 1.7 billion.

Cool Crutches & Walking Sticks

To boost representation and awareness for this disability lifestyle brand, we ran campaigns focused on inclusion and advocacy. A Daily Star interview alone drove a 520% increase in traffic, contributing to a total reach of 1.4 billion in six months.

The Natural Love Company

A single product round-up placement drove 544 new users to the site, converting into 19 transactions worth £2,358.89 in just one month.

FAQs: PR for Business Growth

What are the main benefits of public relations for businesses?

PR helps increase visibility, build credibility, drive website traffic, improve SEO through backlinks, and support long-term customer acquisition.

Can PR help improve search engine rankings?

Yes. Digital PR generates high-quality backlinks from authoritative sources, which are key ranking factors in SEO.

How long does it take for PR to show results?

Some PR (like product reviews) delivers immediate traffic and sales. Broader brand-building efforts typically show results in 3-6 months.

Find Your Perfect PR Fit

PR isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether you're launching a new product or growing an established brand, your PR strategy should reflect your goals.

At Lem-uhn, we tailor our approach to help you elevate your visibility and growth. Book a free 15-minute PR strategy consultation to see how we can support your business.

Ready to boost your brand with PR?Book your free consultation here